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He may have adjusted to the deep ball but they still couldn’t stop the run. I don’t think SF did anything special, our front just didn’t get off blocks. This was like the Pitt preseason game for 3.5 quarters. What a mess. Gurley might set the single game record against us in two weeks.
For the most part, it has been the play of the Safeties that has hurt the deep passing game, and the secondary misses the energy of Jaire Alexander at CB. I'm hoping that his returning after the BYE and the addition of Breeland changes the dynamics at CB, and maybe might allow them to try T-Will at Safety?
T-Will to Safety?
Pettines defensive philosophy emphasizes stopping the pass first, while minimizing the impact of the run.
Pettines Philosophy
Mark nailed it on the head with his comment about Shanahan calling run plays that took advantage of an over pursuing defense. While Pettine made passing defense adjustments later in the game, they never solved the run issue and this could become the real achilles heel of this defense as they enter the 2nd half stretch of the season, and especially against teams that run the ball well (Hello Rams?!)
They've got 2 weeks to heal up and make some adjustments/corrections to ALL THREE PHASES of the game.
Offense:
MM still doesn't get the ball to one of his better skill players enough, in Aaron Jones.
Glad to see Crosby have a "redemption" game after last week.
All three rookie WR's made themselves known, but MVS is showing that he has the potential to become something that opposing defenses will have to worry about.
Defense:
Gap discipline needs to be hammered home to minimize what we saw in the run defense last night.
Fixing the issues on the backend (Safety) needs to be front and center. I had hoped Brice would become a factor, and he has..................a negative factor.
Without a consistent pass rush, you will put too much pressure on the DB's, and it doesn't matter how good the DB's are, as we saw a mediocre backup QB look like a quality starter last night.
ST's:
Penalties, lane discipline, and poor tackling seem to be their calling card so far on coverage teams.
I wonder if we might see Kendall Donnerson called up to replace Tony Brown during the BYE?